Young and in charge....advice?

littlemiss.k

Hi All,

New to the forum. I am 24yrs old and have worked in an organisation since I left school. There was a recent restructure and we were able to apply for a promotion. The job was advertised internally and externally with two positions - of which I got one.

This position puts me as the post between the overall manager and the others in the team and will see me manage the team when my manager is on leave and not in the office (which is really often as he has lots of external meetings).

Being only 24 and with the age range in my team being from 26 - 59...I am worried about how they will take to this and how I will get the respect that I need from them given that some of them are aggrieved having gone for the post themselves.

My boss also said to me when the results of the recruitment were announced that 'I must change and realise that I am not on 'that' side anymore'....I don't want to be the girl that looks all snotty and I really love the people in the team and don't want my manager to try and make me have a team vs management approach. How can I 'get the best of both worlds' (not sure if that makes sense!)

My promotion is effective from tomorrow.

Any advice would be great? Thanks in advance. x

badskindollheart

I think the worst thing you could do is try to change who you are, or start playing a 'role'. I've seen people do this before when promoted and tbh it makes them look idiots and really doesn't engender respect.

I was promoted fairly young, over a number of much older colleagues. One of whom took it so badly that she went to the Union about it. I think the only way you can build respect is being excellent at your job and showing that you were the best candidate for the promotion. I'd suggest getting some management training to help you feel confident.

Communicate regularly, have the conversations that are difficult but necessary, motivate, support and develop your team and thank them for their work.

Bantex_2

Create space between your former colleagues and yourself. Remember you are no longer "one of them".

mustang121

All down to trust. You need to trust your team and not micro-manage them, let them get on with their jobs.


Do not let the power go to you head.


Communicate with your team and address any issues, queries or that may have.


Continuous improvement - I have no idea what you or your team do, but you are the guys that know it best. Now you a line manager you may have more of a voice to get any improvements made making the job far more easier for everyone.

Derwent

One of the best maxims you can adopt as a manager is to never ask anyone to do something that you wouldn't be prepared to do yourself, and to try and demonstrate that. Also, try not adopt a "one size fits all" style of management - everybody is different and you need to identify what different people respond to. Some may need a metaphorical cuddle and to be told how well they're doing, others may need a metaphorical kick up the backside, some may need to be given responsibility, some like to be wallflowers. The best managers are those that understand what makes their staff tick.

FBaby

You took the job and that promotion comes with having to accept that your relationship with the team won't be equal any longer. If you can't accept that you will need to take some distance and make it clear to the team that although you still consider them the same, you will now be in charge of them at some times. They know that you've taken that role, so it won't come as a surprise. They should accept it and will do so IF you treat them fairly, so what you need to focus on is reading all the policies to make sure that what you tell them is in line with the corporate position.

I took on a role which found me managing two close friends. I only accepted it because I knew they respected me in that role. If they didn't (or if they had applied for it too), I am not sure I would have because having to manage someone who is completely reluctant to be managed is a very tough job and not one I would have wanted to take on.

Do make sure you pass the message earlier on as it could become more of an issue if you do it as a result of something happening rather than as part of your new move.

Bantex_2

Derwent wrote: »

One of the best maxims you can adopt as a manager is to never ask anyone to do something that you wouldn't be prepared to do yourself, and to try and demonstrate that. Also, try not adopt a "one size fits all" style of management - everybody is different and you need to identify what different people respond to. Some may need a metaphorical cuddle and to be told how well they're doing, others may need a metaphorical kick up the backside, some may need to be given responsibility, some like to be wallflowers. The best managers are those that understand what makes their staff tick.

This can lead to resentment when a team think that the management favour some over others.

littlemiss.k

All really great and helpful advice.

I am looking forward to getting into the new role and increased responsibility...just feeling anxious and I know there is a lot of people disappointed in the outcome and some of my close friends have already outlined that they will not be working anywhere near as hard as they have been as they feel like their hard work has been thrown back in their faces due to not getting the role.

I'll just need to take it as it comes and hope that the fall out doesn't last too long.

warwicktiger

I was a team leader and moved to a new branch of the company to "sort out" an awkward team. When I left a few years later one of the team was over heard saying "He could be a bast---d. but he was always a fair bast---d" !

One of the nicest compliments I ever had!

When I applied for a more senior role at interview I was asked if I would like to be liked by my new team. I replied that I would like to be respected, and being liked as well would be a bonus.

Afterwards I was told that I had given the perfect answer.

theoretica

It sounds like this is one of those cases where there were lots of people who could have done the role and not enough positions to go round. Whatever decision your bosses made about filling it most of the people would feel their work was thrown back in their faces - but would they really have felt much better if it had gone to an external candidate?

I really hope that your bosses have had a proper discussion with the dissapointed candidates as it is their job and not really something that can come well from you.

As for how to behave - I think age is fairly irrelevant, you are all adults. Try to treat your colleagues as you would like to be treated had you not got the job. Hopefully they will feel less raw after a month or so.

DD265

I've been in a similar situation.

Even though your team mates might be smarting, I'm sure they know that you are good at your job and I doubt anybody will think you don't deserve the promotion.

The thing that has helped me most is talking openly to my team. I'm honest and open with them as much as I can be and I try to make sure that I always have time for them. One of the things I've had to learn is to take a step back, rationalise and then approach, rather than jumping in all guns blazing.

I have a very diverse team ranging from insecure to dominant characters. All are good at their jobs when they apply themselves but I have to approach them all differently. Since starting regular one to ones I have learnt a lot more about each person and found ways to get the best out of them.

There's no harm in asking - "How can I get the best out of you? What do you want from the job and how can we achieve that?"